2011 LA DISTESA 'TERRE SILVATE' MARCHE BIANCO - BREAKING THE RULES

It is often said and written that Italian white wines can veer towards neutrality. While this may be true of generic wines of modest quality, it could not be further from the case for the myriad of truly outstanding white wines that are produced throughout Italian. Indeed, Italy has a fair claim to be the producer of the world’s greatest white wines, especially when one takes into account diversity and the wide palette of grape varieties.

Verdicchio is one such variety that can tend toward blandness. However, this organically grown example from La Distesa exudes flavour and possesses a texture that is beguiling. Indeed, it is this textural quality that marks out many of Italy’s better white wines.

Although it doesn’t carry official DOC status and is labelled as an IGT wine, ‘Terre Silvate’ is an excellent interpretation of Verdicchio (with a slight twist) that delivers plenty of pleasure for current drinking. Already showing nutty complexity, one could easily enjoy it alongside a seafood risotto and other weightier seafood dishes.

2011 ‘TERRE SILVATE’ MARHCE BIANCO IGT
Producer: La Distesa
Variety: Verdicchio (blended with a small amount of Malvasia and Trebbiano)
Vintage: 2011
Region: Marche, Italy
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: $33.00
Date tasted: 10 May 2013

Tasting Note:
Bright lemon yellow. Clean nose of white peach, grilled nuts and hay. Dry, medium bodied, lovely texture and weight on the palate, savoury pear/peach and grapefruit underpinned by a fine ripple of acidity. While it may lack a touch for complexity, this is a wine that is as much about texture and mouthfeel as it is about flavour. In that sense, it succeeds.
Score: 16/20